Abstract:
This study analysed the current marketing channels among small-scale coffee and cashew nut farmers’ households.
Specifically, the study intended to examine the available marketing channels and determined the effect of
marketing channel choices to AMCOS. The study collected both quantitative and qualitative data from primary
and secondary sources. The data collection methods included a survey, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant
Interview and Documentary review. Content and descriptive statistics analysis were used to analyse the data and
finally, the information obtained presented using tables and figures. The findings revealed that socio-demographic
information have a great influence on coffee and cashew nuts production among small-scale farmers and do
determine substantially the amount of the produce sold to AMCOS which later on determine the sustainability of
AMCOS. In addition, market availability for both coffee and cashew nuts is better today than some years in the past.
Small-scale coffee farmers have varieties of marketing channels contrary to the cashew nuts farmers who have
only one marketing channel i.e. AMCOS. The study recommends deliberate efforts to be taken by the government
through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Local Government Authorities to ensure timely availability
of agricultural farming inputs at a subsidized price and timely availability of money in co-operatives at the start
of the harvesting season so that smallholder farmers cannot be compelled to sell their produce elsewhere apart
from their respective AMCOS. Furthermore, in order to ensure the sustainability of AMCOS, youth sensitization at
all levels starting from the village, ward, district, region and nation-level has to be conducted by the Ministry of
Agriculture in collaboration with the Local Government Authorities.
